Sanitary insert part and outlet assembly, and use of a discharge opening which leads to a jet aeration device

ABSTRACT

A sanitary insert part (1), with an inlet side (2) and an outlet side (3), wherein a securing element (4) is formed between the inlet side (2) and the outlet side (3), wherein the securing element (4) is designed to be detachably secured to a counter securing element (6) on a water outlet (5) of a sanitary fitting, wherein a seal element (7) is formed between the securing element (4) and the inlet side (2), creating an at least partial seal; and with a jet aeration device (8) which has an aeration access point (9) that is open towards the outlet side (3) and a discharge opening (10) connecting an outer side of the sanitary insert part (1) to a ventilation chamber in the jet ventilation device (8) and formed between the seal element (7) and the securing element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sanitary insert part with an inlet side andan outlet side, wherein a securing means is formed between the inletside and the outlet side, wherein the securing means is designed to bedetachably secured to a counter securing means on a water outlet of asanitary fitting, wherein a seal element is formed between the securingmeans and the inlet side, creating an at least partial seal; and with ajet aeration device which has an aeration access point that is opentowards the outlet side.

The invention further concerns an outlet assembly, comprising an insertpart as described above, which is inserted into the water outlet of asanitary fitting, wherein a seal element at least partially seals anaperture between the insert part and the water outlet.

The invention finally concerns the use of a discharge opening connectedto a jet aeration device. The opening allows for a reduction in leachateescaping between the insert and a water outlet connected to it.

BACKGROUND

A sanitary insert of this kind, an outlet assembly of this kind, andtheir corresponding use as described above, have already been recorded,for example under EP3153633 A1.

SUMMARY

The invention instead concerns the development of a simplified solutionthat allows for the creation of an alternative method for sealing theaperture between a sanitary insert part and the water outlet of asanitary fitting to which it is connected.

In addressing the above issue, one or more characteristics set out belowhave been devised for use in a sanitary insert part. In particular, toresolve the above issue affecting sanitary insert parts, the inventionproposes that at least one discharge opening—approaching the jetaeration device from the outside—should be formed between the sealelement and the securing means. Water escaping through the seal can thusbe easily absorbed and returned to the main flow path, without requiringthe attention of the user. This means that water leakage through thesecuring means on the outlet side can be significantly reduced or evenavoided altogether. In achieving this effect, it is not necessary forthe seal element to be developed or attached in such a way that itprovides an absolute seat Instead, a certain amount of leakage isacceptable, as it can then be reabsorbed through the opening describedabove. This in turn simplifies assembly of the insert considerably, asit does not require assembly using significant force.

The seal element can achieve a complete seal using this method. However,its effect is already achieved if the seal element results in only apartial seal, as this generates a pressure difference across the sealelement. This pressure difference can, for example, be set so that asubstantial part of the water escaping through the seal element—or evenall of the water escaping—is channelled into the discharge opening.

The securing means can be installed as a releasable connection with acounter securing means. For example, the securing means can be adaptedfor a screw connection, plug connection, swivel connection and/or a snapconnection, as well as a combination of one or more of these connectiontypes, either with connections of the same type or connections of othertypes.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of ensuring that amain flow path is formed between the inlet side and the outlet side.When combined with the insert, this enables leachate to be returned tothe main flow via the discharge opening. As such, lateral leakage fromthe fitting can be avoided.

This in turn means that the jet aeration device acts as a flow barrierin the main flow path. The flow barrier can subsequently cause a drop inpressure relative to the inlet side, enabling any leakage to be returnedto the main flow path.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of ensuring that thedischarge opening leading into the main flow path is placed behind theflow barrier in the direction of flow. This helps to avoid the need forthe leachate to build up significant pressure before the flow is able toreach the main flow path. This method could be used to relieve pressureon seals located further downstream of the discharge opening—with onesuch seal being formed by the securing means, for example.

It is particularly effective if several discharge openings—preferably ofsimilar designs—are arranged around an outer circumference or if thedischarge opening itself is circular in shape. In essence, this ensuresdischarge openings are available to service the entire outercircumference and that any leaks can be absorbed from all sides.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of attaching thesecuring means to a base structure. This results in the possibility ofachieving a single stop function for the water outlet. This may bebeneficial if, for example, the securing means is a thread connection ortwist-and-lock joint.

Alternatively (or additionally), the invention can be configured so thatthe discharge opening is attached to a base structure. Here, thedischarge opening (one minimum) could be formed, for example, usinginjection moulding technology.

It is particularly effective if a circular collection pocket—with thedischarge opening branching off—is attached to the base structure. Thisallows for leakage to be collected along the entire outer circumferenceand led away to at least one discharge opening.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of attaching theseal element to a base structure, such as that mentioned in the examplesabove. This makes a simpler formation process possible, as otherassembly steps may then be omitted.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of using a sealelement that is circular in shape. This allows the seal element to sealan annular gap between the insert part and the water outlet in astraightforward way.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of using a sealelement with a radial seal design. Due to radial material displacement,a radial seal has the advantage of generating contact pressure andtherefore only a comparatively low level of force would be required wheninserting the insert part into the water outlet.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of using an axialseal element. Therefore a radial construction dimension is not verydurable.

It is particularly effective, however, if the seal element uses a designthat features a radial and an axial seal. The seal element can thereforebe used for a number of water outlets with different designs in which itseals either radially or axially or both radially and axially.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of attaching the jetaeration device to a base structure, such as that mentioned in theexamples above. This allows for the formation of a compact insert part.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of designing thebase structure as a single unit. This allows for a reduction in theeffort required during the protection and/or assembly phases.

Alternatively, the base structure can be designed as several compositeparts. The advantage here is that different materials can be used foreach part. Another advantage is that more complex shapes can be achievedfor use in the base structure.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of producing thebase structure using plastic. This allows for the base structure to beproduced at low cost, for example as a part created throughinjection-moulding technology. As a material, plastic may also work wellas it can serve to avoid or reduce lime scale deposits.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of attaching theseal element to an upper part of the base structure and the securingmeans to a lower part of the case structure.

This allows for the possibility of connecting the upper part and lowerpart using a snap-fit connection. This in turn makes the base structureeasy to assemble. Alternatively (or additionally), this can allow forthe upper part to have a greater deformability than the lower part. Insuch cases, the securing means can be attached more securely than theseal element. The higher deformability of the seal element, meanwhile,can be used to improve the seal achieved. The greater deformabilitycould be achieved through plastic or elastic, for example.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of positioning thedischarge opening (one minimum) at a distance away from the securingmeans. The advantage of placing the discharge opening at a sufficientdistance is that leakage water cannot overflow into the securing means.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of placing acollection chamber between the securing means and the outlet side,allowing for water seeping through the thread connection to becollected. This means that any remaining leachate which passes throughthe securing means can be collected, avoiding unwanted leakage at thispoint in the process.

It is preferable for the collection chamber to be designed as aring-shaped circumferential groove. This allows for unwanted waterleakage along the entire outer circumference of the insert to be reducedor avoided altogether.

Here, there is the option of designing the collection chamber with anoverflow opening that leads into the aeration access point. This allowsthe contents of the collection chamber to be easily returned to the mainflow path.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of using a lip sealon the outlet side, which provides the collection chamber with a seal tothe outside. This acts as another means of avoiding, or at leastreducing, unwanted water escaping other than through the water outletitself.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of designing thesecuring means as a thread connection which would fit into a counterthread at the water outlet of a sanitary fitting. A thread connectionprovides a particularly straightforward means of attaching the insertpart to the water outlet. Further, a thread connection may also act as aflow barrier where it meets the counter thread. As such it isparticularly important to ensure that leachate is collected through thedischarge opening rather than through the thread connection.

When configuring the invention, there is the possibility of providing atool attachment on the outlet side—in particular, connected via aslot—to support the fastening and/or loosening of the connections. Thiscould provide the sufficient force needed when inserting the insertpart.

It is recommended that the invention be used with a sanitary fitting andusing an outlet assembly suitable for the invention as described aboveand/or according to one or other of the embodiments relating to possibleoutlet assemblies.

In addressing the issue of simplification identified above, the featuresof this subsidiary claim relate to the formation of the outlet assemblyfor the invention. In particular, it is proposed that with the use of anoutlet assembly of the type described above, the insert part should bedesigned according to this invention and/or in line with therequirements for such an insert part. As such, sealing the annular gapbetween the insert and the water outlet of the fitting should bestraightforward and a sufficiently tight seal should result withoutexcessive demands being made of the seal element.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of ensuring that theflow resistance between the discharge opening and the outlet side islower than the flow resistance of the leachate path between the securingmeans and the counter securing means. This allows for at least onedischarge opening to be designed as a preferred path for the leachate.

In addressing the issue of simplification identified above, the featuresof this subsidiary claims regarding use have been devised in line withthe invention itself. In particular, when using an insert part of thetype described above, it is proposed that the discharge opening for aleachate path is located upstream of the insert part's securing meansand downstream of its seal element. The advantage of this is that asonly the seal element can achieve a reduction in pressure sufficient toallow the leachate to pass, unwanted water leakage—i.e. other than thatthrough the water outlet itself—can be avoided through coordinateddraining by both the last of the discharge openings and the securingmeans.

Here, it is particularly effective if the sanitary insert part isdesigned in line with this invention and in particular as describedabove, and/or in line with the requirements for such an insert part.This will ensure that a synergy of the various advantages describedabove can be achieved.

When configuring the invention, it is intended that the seal elementwill result in pressure reduction in the leachate path. This in turnrelieves the burden on the securing means.

Here, it is intended that flow resistance generated by the seal elementshould be greater than the flow resistance in the section of the mainflow path running parallel to the seal element in the insert part. Thisserves to avoid any impairment of the function of the functional unit inthe main flow path, e.g. its function as a jet aeration device. A volumeflow of a leakage flow is not very durable compared to the main flow.

It is particularly efficient if the flow resistance between thedischarge opening and the outlet side is lower than the flow resistancein the leachate path formed between the securing means and the countersecuring means, as described above. This results in practicallyuninhibited drainage of the leachate through the discharge opening (oneminimum) being easily achieved.

As such, the invention concerns a sanitary insert part with an inletside and an outlet side, wherein a securing means is formed between theinlet side and the outlet side, wherein the securing means is designedto be detachably secured to a counter securing means on a water outletof a sanitary fitting, wherein a seal element is formed between thesecuring means and the inlet side, creating an at least partial seal;and with a jet aeration device which has an aeration access point thatis open towards the outlet side; and with a discharge opening formedbetween the seal element and the securing means which connects theoutside of the sanitary insert to an aeration chamber on the aerationdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below in greater detail through a number ofdesign examples, but is not limited to the examples given. A largerrange of potential design templates can be achieved by combining thefeatures one or more of the patent claims with each other, and/or withone or more of the features of the design examples below.

These are as follows:

FIG. 1 A partial, cross-section, perspective view of a design of asanitary insert part in line with the invention, which is inserted intoa water outlet of a sanitary fitting, with the seal element providing aradial seal for the aperture between the insert part and the wateroutlet;

FIG. 2 A detailed view of the first circled section of the sanitaryinsert part in FIG. 1, which shows an enlarged version of the dischargeopening between the seal element and the securing means;

FIG. 3 An enlarged, detailed view of the second circled section in FIG.1, which shows the collection chamber;

FIG. 4 A vertical cross-section view of another design example for thesanitary insert part, which is inserted into a water outlet of asanitary fitting, with the seal element providing an axial seal for theaperture between the insert part and the water outlet; and

FIG. 5 An enlarged, detailed view of the circled section in FIG. 4showing the axial seal between the insert and the water outlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a sanitary insert part, the whole of which is markedas key term 1. The sanitary insert part 1 is designed to be attached toand detached from a water outlet 5 of a sanitary fitting, enablingstraightforward replacement.

The sanitary insert part 1 has an inlet side 2 facing upwards on FIGS. 1and 4 and an outlet side 3 facing downwards.

On the base structure 12 of the sanitary insert part 1 there is asecuring means 4 provided between the inlet side 2 and the outlet side3, which is designed to enable attachment of the sanitary insert part 1to a counter securing means 6 of a sanitary fitting during assembly. Thebase structure 12 should be at last partly cylindrical in design. Thesecuring means 4 is located on an outer surface of the base structure12, while the counter securing means 6 is located on an inner surface ofa water outlet 5 of the sanitary fitting.

A shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the securing means 4 can be designed as athread connection and, in particular, as an external thread connection.As such, the counter securing means 6 can also be designed as acorresponding counter thread connection, i.e. an internal threadconnection.

The sanitary insert part 1 also has a seal element 7, which, as shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, allows for a radial seal to form in the aperture 19between the sanitary insert part 1 (and in particular, the outer side ofthe sanitary insert part) and the water outlet 5 of the sanitaryfitting. The end stop 12, to which the seal element 7 is attached duringassembly, is installed at an angle to the direction of flow of the waterand/or the direction of insertion of the sanitary insert part 1. Theseal does not have to provide a complete seal of the aperture 19, as anywater that flows through the aperture 19 in spite of the seal will bereturned to the main flow path through the downstream side of the sealelement 7.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an additional use of the sanitary insert part 1with a water outlet 5 using a different design. It features a wateroutlet 5 with an end stop 21 that is different from that shown in FIGS.1 to 3. An axial seal is formed using a seal element 7, which providesan at least partial seal preventing water from passing through theaperture 19. The end stop 21, to which the seal element 7 is attachedduring assembly, is installed perpendicularly, i.e. vertically, to thedirection of insertion of the sanitary insert part 1.

As such, the sanitary insert part 1 can be inserted into a number ofwater outlets with different designs without the need for additionalstructural changes. More specifically, it functions equally well in usewith water outlets whose stop surfaces—against which the seal element 7is placed—are aligned transversely and/or perpendicularly to thedirection of insertion of the sanitary insert part 1 and/or thedirection of flow of the water.

The seal element 7 is therefore able to accommodate two types of stopsurface 22 arranged apart from one another, which are then adapted toform two different types of seal with an end stop 21 for the sanitaryfitting.

The seal element 7, as shown in the design examples, is annular andattached as a component to the multi-part base structure 12. It is,however, conceivable that the seal element 7 could be created as part ofthe base structure 12 itself, for example as an element of a single-unitbase structure 12 or as an element of one part of a multi-part basestructure 12, i.e. the upper part.

To aerate jets of water, the sanitary insert part 1 has a jet aerationdevice 8 attached to the base structure 12, which itself features anaeration access point 9 that opens towards the outlet side 3. Throughthe insert part, water leads into the aeration chamber and can becombined with air from outside the structure through the outlet side 3.The jet aeration device 8 contains a flow barrier 11, which can serve arange of functions, for example, as an impact surface with nozzleopenings. When water comes into contact with the impact surface andsubsequently enters the aeration chamber 25, it is combined withexternal air from the aeration access point 9. As such, the insertprovides the possibility to aerate jets of water which are then releasedthrough the outlet side 3.

In order to return water that escapes through the aperture 19 to themain flow path—i.e. due to an incomplete seal—the sanitary insert part 1is fitted with at least one discharge opening 10 between the sealelement 7 and the securing means 4, leading ultimately to the jetaeration device 8. The discharge opening 10, which is formed as part ofthe base structure 12, is connected to an opening on the sanitary insert1, allowing water that escapes through the aperture 19 to be redirectedthrough the discharge opening 10 and preventing this water fromimpairing the jet pattern. In the direction of flow of water, thedischarge opening 10 is located downstream of the flow barrier 11, butat a distance behind the securing means 4. In the design example shownabove, for instance, a number of similar discharge openings 10 have beencreated, which together cover a large portion of the outercircumference.

The discharge openings 10 are arranged above the collection pocket 26,which is created on the base structure in the form of a circular groove.As such, this collection pocket 26 carries water that escapes past theseal element 7 and transports it to the discharge openings 10.

In the designs illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the sanitary insert part 1has a multi-part base structure 12, comprising three respective parts.The base body 12 shown above, for example, is comprised of the sealelement 7, an upper part 13 and a lower part 14. The flow barrier 11 canbe designed as part of the upper part 13. The aeration chamber 25 can beformed by the lower part 14. The upper part 13 and or the lower part 14and/or the seal element 8 can be locked via a mechanical connection, asillustrated here with a snap-fit connection. The parts that fit togetherhave snap connectors 23 and/or corresponding counter snap connectors 24.The seal element 7 can also be designed together with the upper part 13as a single unit. Here, it is advisable if the upper part 13 has agreater deformability (preferably elastic) than the lower part 14.

FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate a collection chamber 15 that has been adaptedto collect water passing through the leachate path between the securingmeans 4 and the counter securing means 6 to prevent unwanted leaking.

The collection chamber 15 is located before the aeration access point 9in the direction of the flow being drawn in. The collection chamber 15has a lip seal 17 which is used to seal it to the outside of the lowerpart of the water outlet 5. The collection chamber 15 also has anoverflow opening 16 through which the excess water that can no longer beheld by the collection chamber 15 is released. As part of the flow ofwater through the sanitary insert part 1, this water is carried into theaeration chamber of the jet aeration device 8 through the aerationaccess 9 alongside the air that is also being drawn in. This works toprevent the loss of leaking water via the leachate path 20, which wouldotherwise have an adverse effect on the overall jet pattern. Here, theflow resistance between the discharge opening 10 and the outlet side 3must also be lower than the flow resistance in the leachate path 20,which comprises the area between the securing means 4 and the countersecuring means 6. This is due to the fact that the water will alwayschoose the path of least resistance, draining through the thin dischargeopening 10 rather than traveling along the leachate path 20 between thesecuring means 4 and the counter securing means 6. The seal element 7also causes a reduction in pressure along the leachate path 20, as theflow resistance generated by the seal element 7 is greater than a flowresistance across the section of the main flow path that runs parallelto the seal element 7 in the sanitary insert part 1.

The outlet side 3 of the sanitary insert part 1 also features a groovedtool attachment 18. The sanitary insert part 1 can be inserted, i.e.screwed, into the water outlet 5 or detached, i.e. unscrewed, from thewater outlet 5 by attaching a tool the tool attachment 18 and using anopening motion, preferably a rotary movement.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

1 Sanitary insert part

2 Inlet side

3 Outlet side

4 Securing means

5 Water outlet of a sanitary fitting

6 Counter securing means

7 Seal element

8 Jet aeration device

9 Aeration access

10 Discharge opening

11 Flow barrier

12 Base structure

13 Upper part of the base structure

14 Lower part of the base structure

15 Collection chamber

16 Overflow opening

17 Lip seal

18 Tool attachment

19 Aperture

20 Leachate path

21 End stop

22 Stop surface

23 Snap connector

24 Counter snap connector

25 Aeration chamber

26 Collection pocket

1. A sanitary insert part (1), comprising: an inlet side (2); an outletside (3); a securing means (4) formed between the inlet side (2) and theoutlet side (3), the securing means (4) is configured to be detachablysecured to a counter securing means (6) on a water outlet (5) of asanitary fitting; a seal element (7) formed between the securing means(4) and the inlet side (2), creating an at least partial seal; and a jetaeration device (8) which has an aeration access point (9) that is opentowards the outlet side (3) and includes by at least one dischargeopening (10) connecting an outer side of the sanitary insert part (1) toan aeration chamber in the jet aeration device (8) and being formedbetween the seal element (7) and the securing means (4).
 2. The sanitaryinsert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a main flow path isformed between the inlet side (2) and the outlet side (3), and the jetaeration device (8) forms a flow barrier (11) in the main flow path. 3.The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the use of adischarge opening (10) is located in a flow direction behind the flowbarrier (11) in the main flow path.
 4. The sanitary insert part (1) asclaimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the securing means (4) or thedischarge opening (10) are part of a base structure (12).
 5. Thesanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising aseal element (7) that is part of a base structure (12) and has anannular, circumferential form.
 6. The sanitary insert part (1) asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising a seal element (7) that forms atleast one of a radial or axial seal.
 7. The sanitary insert part (1) asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the jet aeration device (8) forms at least apart of a base structure (12).
 8. The sanitary insert part (1) asclaimed in claim 7, wherein the base structure (12) is formed as asingle unit or as multiple components.
 9. The sanitary insert part (1)as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base structure is comprised ofplastic.
 10. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 7, whereinthe base structure comprises an upper part (13) and a lower part (14),and a seal element (7) is provided on the upper part (13) of the basestructure (12) and the securing means (4) is provided on the lower part(14) of the base structure (12), and a snap-in connection connects theupper part (13) with the lower part (14).
 11. The sanitary insert part(1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one discharge opening(10) located at a distance from the securing means (4).
 12. The sanitaryinsert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a collectionchamber (15) formed between the securing means (4) and the outlet side(3), through which excess water escaping through a leachate path (20)between the securing means (4) and the counter securing means (6) iscollected.
 13. The sanitary insert part (1) as in claim 12, furthercomprising a lip seal (17) on the outlet side (3), that seals thecollection chamber (15) in the water outlet (5) to the outside.
 14. Thesanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securingmeans (4) comprises a thread connection, and the counter securing meansis adapted to be a counter thread connection that is adapted to allowthe insert part to be attached to a water outlet (5) on a sanitaryfitting.
 15. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a tool attachment (18) formed in the outlet side (3) that isadapted to assist in at least one of an attachment or detachmentprocess.
 16. An outlet assembly, comprising an insert part (1) asclaimed in claim 1 that is inserted into a water outlet (5) of asanitary fitting, and the seal element (7) in the sanitary insert part(1) provides an at least partial seal of an aperture (19) between thesanitary insert part (1) and the water outlet (5).
 17. The outletassembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein a flow resistance between thedischarge opening (10) and the outlet side (3) is lower than the flowerresistance in a leachate path (20) that extends from the securing means(4) to the counter securing means (6).
 18. A method of minimizing a lossof water between sanitary insert part (1) and a water outlet (5)receiving the sanitary insert part (1), the method comprising: providingthe sanitary installation part according to claim 1; in which thedischarge opening (10) is located in a leachate path (20) of excesswater, before the securing means (4) of the sanitary insert part (1) andafter the seal element (7) of the sanitary insert part (1) in thedirection of the flow of water; and drawing the excess water into theaeration chamber for discharge with the flow of water.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the seal element (7) reduces pressure in the leachatepath (20) to ensure a flow resistance produced by the seal element (7)is greater than a flow resistance in a section of the main flow pathrunning parallel to the seal element within the sanitary insert part(1).
 20. The sanitary insert part as claimed in claim 10, wherein theupper part (13) has a greater elastic deformability than the lower part(14).
 21. The sanitary insert part as claimed in claim 12, furthercomprising an overflow opening (16) within the collection chamber (15)that leads into the aeration access point (9).